Spring meet purses get a big boost thanks to historical racing revenue

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Due largely to revenues from the slots-like historical racing machines at the nearby Derby City Gaming facility owned by Churchill Downs Inc., purses at the 38-day Churchill spring meet will be at record levels.

Purses during the first 19 days are projected to surpass $20 million, an average of more than $1 million per card and an increase of 46 percent over the 2018 spring meet. Purses for the first six days (opening night through Derby Day) have been supercharged to attract larger fields, with maiden races worth as much as $100,000 and allowances ranging from $103,000 to $110,000.

After the Derby, maiden-specials will be worth $85,000 (up from $53,000 last spring) and allowances from $87,000 to $94,000 (up from $55,000 to $61,000).

The higher levels have attracted a number of new stables, most notably from Southern California.

Historical racing has proliferated in Kentucky in recent years, with Derby City having become operational last September.

◗ Stewart Elliott and Tyler Baze are the most accomplished new faces who intend to ride regularly at Churchill beyond Derby week. Elliott is best known for his winning rides on Smarty Jones in the 2004 Derby and Preakness, and Baze has been a perennial top-five rider in recent years on the Southern California circuit.

Other newcomers to the riding colony include Chantal Sutherland, and the seven-pound apprentice Javier Padron-Barcenas.

◗ Monomoy Girl, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, is on schedule to return to Churchill “not too long after Derby,” trainer Brad Cox said this week.

“She’s doing very well,” he said. “We’re in no rush with her.”

Monomoy Girl had been targeting the La Troienne on Oaks Day but was turned out at WinStar Farm in late March following a brief bout with colic.

◗ Orange is the color theme for opening night, with attendees encouraged to incorporate the color as the track celebrates local Louisville artists on the first of three Downs After Dark cards at the spring meet. The other night cards are set for June 1 (Woodstock-themed) and June 15 (The Big Easy), which is the post-Derby high point featuring the Grade 2 Stephen Foster and four other stakes.

◗ The latest capital improvement to the Churchill facility is the Rooftop Lounge, a 20,000-foot addition atop the Starting Gate Suites. Situated high atop the north grandstand, the new space provides customers with a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The project came with a $5 million price tag.

◗ The owners of Tom’s Last General said they intend to bring the silks of the late Tom McCarthy out of retirement if the 3-year-old colt runs in a Derby Day allowance as planned. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of McCarthy starting General Quarters in the Derby.